Device for fastening hangings or a decorative strip across the top of a window



Aug. 26, 1969 M. ASSAEL DEVICE FOR FASTENING HANGINGS OR A DECORATIVE STRIP ACROSS THE TOP OF A WINDOW 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 22, 1967 M. ASSAEL 3,463,217 DEVICE FOR FASTENING HANGINGS OR A DECORATIVE STRIP Aug. 26, 1969 ACROSS THE TOP OF A WINDOW 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 22. 1967 w m I I i u: q? a 3 n m w; M n a u a 5 f c 'ILIIII I At w Mi 6 \4 H 05 m m y n a 6 A K111i. m1 m a 8 a 4 M 3 7| 1m. 3 c1 1O s \k United States Patent 3,463,217 DEVICE FOR FASTENING HANGINGS OR A DECORATIVE STRIP ACROSS THE TOP OF A WINDOW Marcel Assael, 12 Place Maurice Gillet, Brest, Nortl-Finistere, France Filed Nov. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 685,156 Int. Cl. E0611 9/00; E04f /00 U.S. Cl. 160-39 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for suspending hangings or a decorative strip across the top of a window, comprising two angle members each having a front wing and a side wing. The front wing is provided on its inner face at least two arms carrying at their free ends a clamp adapted to fit in straddle position on the curtain rail extending across the top edge of the window between the front wing and the window. The members are disposed at either end of the curtain rail with their wings disposed one parallel to the window and the other at right angles thereto. Both wings of each angle member are provided with means permitting a quick fastening of a valance of hangings or of a decorative strip thereto.

The present invention is concerned with the fitting of hangings, or a decorative strip, drapery, valance or like piece of upholstery across the top of a window.

As a rule, hangings or like elements of upholstery of this character consists of pieces of material suspended from supports designed for this specific purpose, on either side of the Window. On the other hand, decorative strips such as valances and window draperies are usually secured to solid wooden cornices generally in the form of a relatively long board disposed above the top edge of a Window, the ends of this board being rigidly connected to perpendicular plates adapted to be secured to the wall on either side of the Window. Thus, the strip of textile material can be secured to the front board and the ends bent at right angles thereto are secured to the aforesaid perpendicular end plates.

However, cornices of this type are extremely heavy and therefore the fastening members used for fixing them must be sealed either in the ceiling or in the walls. Moreover, these cornices must be constructed in each case according to the dimensions of the window to be equipped therewith, so that very accurate measurements must be made beforehand. Under these conditions skilled hands, notably upholsterers and possibly joiners, are required for making and fitting these cornices. Therefore, they are relatively costly. Besides, in certain cases the fitting of these elements is particularly difficult due to the presence of other decorative elements in close proximity, and also of the presence of the devices for securing these other elements.

In order to avoid these various inconveniences, it has already been proposed to replace cornices of this type by a series of fastening lugs, for example in the form of staples or riders, adapted to fit on the curtain rail already installed across the top of the corresponding window, the decorative drapery or strip being secured in this case by its upper edge to these fastening lugs.

Of course this system is advantageous in that it avoids the construction of a cornice specially designed for supporting the corresponding strip.

However, this fastening method is also objectionable in that the strip of textile material is not properly supported, since it is hung only at spaced intervals and on a very 3,463,217 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 ice reduced length from said fastening lugs. Now if the strip is not properly tensioned it sags between these various fastening points, thus giving a scarcely attractive appearance thereto.

Moreover, this system is objectionable in that the ends of the strip cannot be fitted around elements capable of providing the desired configuration by forming the perpendicular end portions towards the wall. In order to avoid this inconvenience, a known arrangement consisted in securing end angle members to the curtain rail disposed behind the strip. However, these corner members are ill suited for properly supporting and tensioning the strip ends. Moreover, these corner members can be used only with a specific type of curtain rail and their position cannot be adjusted according to local or particular requirements.

It is therefore the essential object of this invention to provide a fastening device adapted to be installed very easily even by unskilled users, this device being on the other hand designed with a view to tension and shape under the optimum conditions a decorative strip of the type set forth hereinabove, of textile material or the like, and notably the end portions of this strip, in order to provide perpendicular end portions directed at right angles towards the wall. 4

To this end, the device according to this invention consists of one or two angle members of which one wing comprises, on its face directed inward of the resulting dihedron, at least two substantially perpendicular arms each formed with a clamp, hook or the like at its free end, this clamp, hook or the like being adapted to engage the curtain rail extending normally across the top of a window, whereby these members can be disposed at both ends of this rail so as to have their wings directed the one parallel to the window and the other at right angles thereto, the front face of these wings advantageously comprising suitable means permitting the quick fitting of a decorative drapery or strip.

Thus, when it is desired to secure a decorative strip across the top of a window, the pair of angle members constituting the device of this invention are positioned on the corresponding ends of the curtain rail already secured across said top edge of the window. This operation is extremely simple since it is only necessary to fit the clamps or hooks of these two members straddlewise on the curtain rail. Then, the ends of decorative strip can be secured to the two members thus mounted, by properly tensioning the strip therebetween and folding the end portions of the strip against the end faces of said angle members extending at right angles to the window. Under these conditions the strip is perfectly tensioned so that it has the same aesthetic appearance as if it were fitted to a conventional solid wooden cornice. In this respect, it may be emphasized that the ends of the decorative strip of textile or like material are shaped by the end wings of the angle members and therefore constitute the desired folded portions extending towards the wall.

The means provided for securing the decorative strip to the two perpendicular wings of each angle member may advantageously consist of one or a plurality of adhesive tapes, for example of suitable textile material or of the type known under the trade name of Velcro, which are applied beforehand on the top of these angle members and adapted to keep in position a textile decorative strip comprising for example a velvet lining or the like.

According to another feature characterising the device of this invention the lateral wing of each angle member carries a movable plate constituting an extension adjustable to the proper length and formed if desired with a portion bent inwards, parallel to, and adapted to engage, the wall.

A still further feature of this invention comprises a device of the type set forth hereinabove wherein the arms for fastening the angle members are so mounted on these members that the position of these members is adjustable vertically in relation to said fastening arms.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the attached drawings illustrating diagrammatically by way of example typical forms of embodiment of the device constituting the subject-matter of this invention. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating one of the end angle members constituting the device of this invention;

FIGURE '2 is a section taken along a horizontal plane, illustrating the method of securing a decorative textile or like strip across the top of a window by using the device of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along the line IIIIII of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing another form of embodiment of the angle members constituting the subject-matter of this invention;

FIGURE 5 is another perspective view showing a com plementary element of the device;

FIGURE 6 is a section taken upon a horizontal plane, to illustrate the method of securing a decorative strip by means of the element illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section showing a modified utilization of the device of this invention; and

FIGURES 8 to 10 inclusive are fragmentary vertical sections illustrating different forms of embodiment of the fastening arms incorporated in the device of this invention.

Referring first to the example illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings, the device according to this invention consists essentially of a pair of end angle memhers 1 adapted to be disposed at either end of the decorative strip or like upholstery panel to be fitted. These two angle members therefore comprise two elements herein referred to as the wings 2 and 3, adapted to be disposed in vertical planes at right angles to each other, i.e. a longer front wing 2 and a shorter lateral or end wing 3.

A pair of perpendicular fastening arms 4 extend to the rear from the top edge of the front wing 2. Each arm 4 carries at its free end a clamp or hook 5 adapted to fit straddlewise on the curtain rail 6 already installed across the top of the corresponding window F. These arms 4 are advantageously disposed level with the top edge of each member 1 in order to avoid any interference with other decorative or upholstery elements possibly located in front of the window. However, for the same purpose each arm may advantageously have an arcuate shape if they were provided at a level other than the top edge of members 1.

On the other hand, the front face of wing 2 and the outer face of lateral wing 3 of each angle member 1 carry adequate means permitting the quick fitting of a decorative strip 7, for example of textile material or other upholstery material, to these members.

These means may consist for example of an adhesive tape coated with an adhesive substance on either face. In this case, a protection band covers the outer face of the tape and is removed just before Securing the decorative strip thereto. The use of the textile adhesive tape known under the trade name of Velcro may also be contemplated for the same purpose, as already suggested hereinabove. In this case a complementary tape of suitable nature is disposed along the top edge of the decorative strip or panel, unless the rear face or the top selvedge of this strip or panel is lined with velvet or a similar material adapted to adhere by pressure contact to the aforesaid textile adhesive tape, the latter being secured to each angle member 1 by gluing or stapling, or engaging slots'or notches formed in these members and adapted to constitute retaining means.

Under these conditions, the decorative strip 7 is fitted across the top of a window F by simply engaging the angle members 1 on the ends of the curtain rail 6 already installed above the top edge of the window.

This is done by simply engaging the clamps or hooks 5 of the fastening arms 4 of both angle members straddlewise on the curtain rail. Thus these angle members 1 are firmly held in position, the wing 2 of each member being disposed in front of the curtain rail and parallel to the window, the lateral or end wing 3 extending at right angles to the window.

Of course, the position of these two members 1 is adjustable in the longitudinal direction by merely sliding the hooks or clamps 5 along the curtain rail 6.

Then the decorative strip or panel 7 can be fitted by securing its two ends to the front and lateral wings 2 and 3 of these angle members 1.

To this end, if the fastening means provided on these members 1 consist of adhesive tapes, it is only necessary to press the top edge of the strip against the two wings of these members. Then the strip 7 can be neatly stretched and is free of unattractive distortions. Due to their mounting on the members 1 and notably on the lateral or end wings 3 thereof, the ends of the strip are properly maintained and shaped along the vertical edge at the junction of the two wings 2 and 3. Under these conditions the strip is tensioned as perfectly as if it were mounted on a wooden cornice.

However,the device of this invention is characterised by a number of advantageous features in comparison with conventional cornices and other structures used heretofore for securing a decorative strip of textile or other material, or a valance, across the top of a window.

In fact, the component elements of the device of this invention are very easily mounted without resorting to any tool whatsoever, since it is only necessary to fit the clamps or hooks 5 carried by the rear arms 4 on the curtain rail already installed at the desired location.

Under these conditions, fitting a decorative strip such as a valance or a window drapery is considerably simplified and can be carried out even by unskilled persons.

However, the two angle members 1 constituting the device of this invention may also be used for supporting the two sides of a drapery disposed on either side of a window. In this case these two members are disposed and mounted exactly as in the preceding case, as shown in FIGURE 2, but they are also used for supporting a pair of vertical decorative strips of textile material.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a. typical form of embodiment of the angle members constituting the device of this invention. In this figure the two fastening arms 4a of each angle member 1a are carried by an intermediate fastening member 9. This member 9 comprises two wings extending at right angles to each other, i.e., a vertical wing 9a slidably engaging the rear face of the front wing 2a of each member 1a and a horizontal wing 9b extending rearwardly from the top of the vertical wing 9a, the horizontal wing 9b being formed with the pair of fastening arms 4a including anchoring elements 5a. The vertical wing 9a of fastening member 9 is secured against the rear face of wing 2b by means of screws 10 provided with clamping or wing nuts 11 and disposed in vertical slots 12 formed in the front wing 2a.

Thus, the vertical position of member 1a may be adjusted in relation to the fastening arms 4a secured as in the preceding example by means of clamps or hooks 5a provided to this end and fitting straddlewise on a curtain rail 6a.

On the other hand the lateral wing 3a of each end member 1a is extensible so that its length can be adjusted as a function of the distance between the strip 7a to be fitted and the wall. To this end, the lateral wing 3a may be provided with a movable plate extension 13 retained in position by means of screws 14'provided with a clamping or wing nut 15. These screws are carried by holes formed in the lateral wing 3a and engage corresponding horizontal slots 16 formed in the movable plate extension 13. Thus, the plate extensions 13 of each angle members 1a can be properly positioned and subsequently locked in the desired position.

Preferably, the free edge of this plate extension may comprise an in-turned lip 17 disposed at right angles thereto and adapted to engage the wall M to which the curtain rail 61: is secured (see FIGURE 6).

If desired, this in-turned lip 17 may have one or more holes 18 formed therein to permit the passage of nails for securing same to the wall in order to improve the rigidity and stability of the end members 1a. As in the preceding form of embodiment, these members are provided with means permitting the quick fitting of a decorative strip 7a.

These means may consist for example of a pair of textile adhesive tapes 8a disposed along the top and bottom edges of wings 2a and 3a of each member 1a, and engaging notches 19 formed in these two edges so as to form bafile means assisting in properly holding said tapes in position. Moreover, a pair of similar adhesive tapes 8b are provided on each sliding plate extension 13 as well as on the in-turned lip 17 thereof. The device according to this invention may also comprise one or a plurality of intermediate members adapted to support the decorative strip 7a between two end members 1a. Each intermediate member consists of a plate 20 having its rear face provided with a pair of fastening arms 4a similar to those carried by the front wing 2a of each end member 1a (see FIGURES 5 and 6) In fact, these two arms are rigid with a bracket or plate 9 mounted for vertical sliding movement on the rear face of plate 20 by means of screws 10 provided with clamping or wing nuts 11 and engaging vertical slots 12 provided in said plate 20.

Of course, the free ends of these arms carry clamp or book means 5a adapted to fit on a curtain rail 6a.

On the other hand the front face of plate carries on its top and bottom edges a pair of adhesive tapes 8a similar to those provided on the end members 1a and adapted to keep in position the decorative strip to be fastened.

Thus, to fit this strip across the top of a window F the two angle members 1a are fitted to the ends of the corresponding curtain rail 6a as in the preceding case.

However, the vertical position of these two members is adjustable in relation to the clamping arms 4a.

The length of the lateral wings of these two angle members is also adjustable by properly setting the plate extensions 13 in relation thereto so that the in-turned lips 17 of these extensions may engage the wall M (see FIGURE 6).

Besides, one or a plurality of intermediate members 20 of the type illustrated in FIGURE 5 can be added to the curtain rail 61: at one or more points thereof.

Due to the dimensions contemplated, the intermediate member or members 20 have their front face co-planer with the front wings 2a of the two end angle members 1a.

The strip 7a to be fitted may be positioned and secured by engaging its ends on the two end members 1a and by securing one or more intermediate points of this strip to additional members 20. This can be made very rapidly by using the adhesive tapes 8a and 8b provided on these various elements.

Thus, the decorative strip 7a can be properly tensioned and its end portions directed towards the wall are adequately shaped by the lateral wings of the end members 1a and extend to the wall M.

The device corresponding to this improved form of embodiment is obviously attended by a number of additional advantageous features.

Thus, it may be emphasized that the position of the end members 1a and of the intermediate members 20 is vertically adjustable.

It may also be noted that the length of the lateral Wings of the end members is adjustable so that their rear edge properly engage the wall on either side of the window, thus improving the stability of these members.

However, it is also possible to combine the end members 1a shown in FIGURE 4 with the end members such as 1 of FIGURE 1 which, in this case, are used for supporting one of the vertical sides 21 of a drapery disposed on either side of a window F (see FIGURE 7).

In this case the end members 1 are firstly fitted on the curtain rails 6b. Then the end members 1a are positioned in turn, so that at least one of the fastening arms 4a bridges the corresponding end member 1.

Under these conditions the two end members 111 are adapted to support a decorative strip or panel 7b to be associated with the two vertical sides 21 of hangings, draperies or curtains.

Of course, in this case the strip is mounted exactly as in the example illustrated in FIGURE 6.

However, it will readily occur to anybody conversant with the art that the end members '1 may be used separately for supporting the two sides of a curtain, in a window upholstery or decoration excluding any horizontal or top strip such as a drapery or valance. Besides, these end members 1a may also be used for supporting the two vertical elements of hangings.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that this invention should not be construed as being limited by the few typical forms of embodiment shown and illustrated herein by way of example.

In fact, various component elements of this device may be replaced by equivalent means.

Thus, the clamp or hook carried by the rear or free end of the fastening arms 4 or 4a may be adapted to correspond to various types of curtain rails. In fact, it is known that these include many different types and cross-sectional contours. To this end the clamps or hooks carried by the rear or free ends of fastening arms 4 or 4a may be detachably mounted on these arms so as to be interchangeable; in this case, different types of clamps or hooks may be contemplated.

Thus, FIGURE 8 illustrates a modified form of embodiment of a clamp arm for fastening the end members 1a of the device of this invention, or the intermediate member 20 thereof. These fastening arms 4c are rigid with a bracket or plate adjustably secured to the relevant member.

However, the free end of each arm carries a resilient clamp 50 detachably secured thereto by means of a screw 22, this clamp being adapted to be resiliently fastened to a curtain rail 6c for example of oval cross-sectional contour.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the same fastening arm 4c provided with a bent lug 5d detachably mounted by means of a screw 22 and adapted to engage the gap formed for example between the ceiling P and a curtain rail 6a secured thereto. FIGURE 10 illustrates on the other hand the same fastening arm 40 but provided with a detachable extension 5e secured by means of a screw 22 and adapted to engage a corresponding passage formed in a rider 5 slidably mounted on a curtain rail 6e having a particular cross-sectional contour.

Thus, according to the type of curtain rail already installed or as a function of the method of mounting this rail, the arms 4c can be provided with the suitable clamps, lugs, extensions or hooks, i.e., having a configuration consistent with the curtain rail section, somewhat as a substitute for the rider-like clamps 5 or 5a of the preceding forms of embodiment. Of course, a still greater number of clamp configurations may be contemplated to permit the fitting of the device of this in- 8,463,217 7 8 vention to different type of existing curtain rails, without a horizontal wing extending rearwardly from the departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. top of said vertical wing.

WhatIclaim is: 4. The device, as set forth in claim 2, further com- 1. A device for suspending hangings or a decorative prising strip across the top of a window, comprising at least one vertical plate adapted to constitute an intwo angle members each comprising a vertical front wing and a vertical side wing joined at right angles together,

a fastening member extending behind the front wing of each angle member,

termediate support for a decorative strip disposed across the top edge of a window,

a second fastening member slidably mounted vertically on the rear face of said at least one vertical plate and extending to the rear and including and carrying said front wing and said fastening member being 10 at a second free end of said second fastening memslidably mounted in the vertical direction relative er located relative to said at least one vertical plate to each other, at least one second hook means adapted to be enreleasable locking means for holding each angle memgaged at least partially around a curtain rail, and her at a desired height with respect to its corremeans for locking said at least one vertical plate at a sponding fastening member, desired height with respect to said second fastening said fastening member including at least one hook member.

means at a free end of said fastening member rear- 5. The device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein wardly located relative to said front wing, said hook each hook means comprises a rider means for sliding means being adapted to be engaged at least partially horizontally along the curtain rail on which it is around a curtain rail extending normally across the fitted, thereby permitting adjustment of the position upper edge of a window, whereby said angle memof each of said angle members in the horizontal bers can be disposed at either end of the curtain rail direction. with said front wings thereof disposed parallel to 6. The device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said window and said side wings disposed at right each hooking means is detachably mounted on said angles thereto, between the corresponding front wing fastener member, and and the window, and at least one second and interchangeable hook means means permitting a quick fastening of a piece of upholadapted to fit on different types of curtain rails and stery disposed on said front wing and said side wing for selected detachable mounting on said fastener of each angle member. member. 2. The device, as set forth in claim 1, further com- References Cited zjt s l east two clamping elements spaced relative to each UNITED STATES PATENTS other and adapted to be engaged simultaneously on 2323496 7/1943 stem et 16039 the same curtain rail, and 2,342,893 2/ 1944 Purcell et a1 160-418 one of said at least two clamping elements carried by 21565588 8/1951 B'runo 160-39 said fastening member of each of said angle member. 21998062 8/1961 Blxby 3. The device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein, FOREIGN PATENTS said fasftening membeit') of each angle medmberdincltudcels 40 230,253 9/1960 Australia.

two astenmg mem er wings connecte an ex en 795,148 5/1958 Great Britain mg at right angles to each other, one of said fastening member wings constituting a ver- DAVID L WILLIAMOWSKY Primary Examiner t1cal wing engaging the rear face of said front wing f each angle member, and J. K. BELL, Assistant Examiner the other of said fastening member wings constituting 

